We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quantification of Polystyrene Uptake by Different Cell Lines Using Fluorescence Microscopy and Label-Free Visualization of Intracellular Polystyrene Particles by Raman Microspectroscopic Imaging
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tested how human cells take up polystyrene microplastic particles using three cell types that represent the lung lining, intestinal lining, and immune system. All three cell types absorbed the microplastic beads, with immune cells showing different uptake patterns compared to the barrier cells of the lungs and gut. This study confirms that microplastics can enter human cells through multiple exposure routes, including breathing and eating, and that immune cells may play a special role in processing these particles.
Environmental pollution caused by plastic is a present problem. Polystyrene is a widely used packaging material (e.g., Styrofoam) that can be broken down into microplastics through abrasion. Once the plastic is released into the environment, it is dispersed by wind and atmospheric dust. In this study, we investigated the uptake of polystyrene particles into human cells using A549 cells as a model of the alveolar epithelial barrier, CaCo-2 cells as a model of the intestinal epithelial barrier, and THP-1 cells as a model of immune cells to simulate a possible uptake of microplastics by inhalation, oral uptake, and interaction with the cellular immune system, respectively. The uptake of fluorescence-labeled beads by the different cell types was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy in a semi-quantitative, concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, we used Raman spectroscopy as a complementary method for label-free qualitative detection and the visualization of polystyrene within cells. The uptake of polystyrene beads by all investigated cell types was detected, while the uptake behavior of professional phagocytes (THP-1) differed from that of adherent epithelial cells.
More Papers Like This
Toxicological profiling of polystyrene microplastics in raw 264.7 macrophages: Linking microplastic exposure to immune cell impairment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed immune cells called macrophages to polystyrene microplastics and found that the cells rapidly absorbed the particles within two hours. Higher concentrations caused mitochondrial damage, disrupted cellular recycling processes, and triggered inflammation-related signaling. The study provides evidence that microplastics can impair the function of key immune cells responsible for defending the body against foreign threats.
Polystyrene microparticle distribution after ingestion by murine macrophages
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked what happens to polystyrene microparticles after they are ingested by mouse immune cells called macrophages. They found that the particles were distributed unevenly during cell division in a cell-type-specific manner, and no active excretion of the microplastics was observed. The study suggests that once immune cells take up microplastic particles, the particles may persist inside cells and accumulate over successive generations of cell division.
Uptake and effects of orally ingested polystyrene microplastic particles in vitro and in vivo
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the uptake and effects of orally ingested polystyrene microplastic particles using human intestinal cell models and rodent experiments. They found that smaller microplastics were taken up by intestinal cells and could cross the gut barrier, though the majority passed through the digestive system. The study suggests that while most ingested microplastics are excreted, a fraction can be absorbed, warranting further investigation into long-term health effects.
Cellular internalization and release of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studied how polystyrene plastic particles of different sizes enter and exit living cells. They found that particles 50 and 500 nanometers in size can penetrate cell membranes and get taken up through multiple pathways, while 5-micrometer particles are too large to enter cells. This research helps explain why smaller nanoplastics may be more harmful to human health, as they can more easily get inside our cells and accumulate there.
The effects of polystyrene microplastics on human intestinal cells health and function
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how polystyrene microplastics affect normal and cancer intestinal cells, addressing a gap left by previous research that used only cancer cell lines and pristine plastics. The work evaluated microplastic toxicity under more realistic conditions including digestive system biotransformation, assessing effects on nutrient uptake and cellular function.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.